Torr Antiques & Decorative Arts

Description

This is a very large and decorative sampler dated 1831 still with its original rosewood frame, glazing and backboard.

It was made by Mary Ann Cox of Bantyre. It depicts five alphabets in different designs and the numbers 1 to 9, again in 5 different styles, below which are religious symbols, birds, hearts, a butterfly, a house (possibly the rectory) with gate flanked by flowers, and a view of Bantyre Chapel, all within a wide decorative floral border. To the right of the Chapel the following works can be read, "Mary Ann Cox is my name and with my needle I worked the same, when you view this work of mine, remember how well I spent my time".

Bantyre is most likely an old spelling of Banteer near Cork in Ireland. Numerous 19th century references to Bantyre, Cork can be found online. Certainly the view of Bantyre Chapel looks similar to Saint Fursey's Church, Banteer, CORK which was built in 1828, so three years before the sampler was worked. The Church was restored and enlarged in 1952 which may account for the presence now of five arched windows instead of the four shown in the sampler.

Dimensions: Frame - 86 x 64.5 cm. This is very large.
Weight is in excess of 5 kg

Condition: There is some fading and discolouration but no holes or other damage. The frame is also in good condition. We have taken the picture apart to clean the underside of the glass and then put it together using traditional paper tape to seal the back.

Delivery: Due to its large size and the delicate nature of the materials we would recommend having this hand-delivered by our delivery man. The charge is £45 to anywhere on mainland England and most of Wales.